B&I Lions' great escape

MATCH REPORT: The British and Irish Lions retained their unbeaten run on their tour of Australia.

However, the tourists were made to work harder for their 24-19 win over the First Nations and Pasifika XV at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday.

B&I Lions coach Andy Farrell will have more questions than answers after the scratch collection pushed his team all the way.

An inconsistent touring team survived a ferocious battle to stretch their unbeaten streak to seven matches.

Led by a composed Owen Farrell, the tourists edged the home side four tries to three under a closed roof at Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium with what was effectively a B team.

* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!

* Article continues below …

The tourists often lacked dynamism against a fired-up team with limited preparation but expertly marshalled by veteran Wallaby Kurtley Beale.

The B&I Lions controlled the contest early with two tries in the opening 10 minutes, but the hosts refused to go away with plenty of niggle and brutal tackling.

They struck back to reach the break all square at 14-all before the B&I Lions lifted in the second half, then survived a late Pasifika fightback.

None of the starting side from their 27-19 first Test win in Brisbane were involved and many of the 23 picked are outsiders for a place in the 23 for Saturday’s second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

But coach Andy Farrell had stressed there was still an opportunity for players to state their case.

Scot Blair Kinghorn returned from a knee injury at fullback with heavy strapping but he was patchy in his bid to oust Hugo Keenan, who had been hit-and-miss in Brisbane.

Ireland centre Garry Ringrose, fit again after a concussion, came on in the first half and was impressive as he also looks to force his way into Test contention, potentially at the expense of Huw Jones or Sione Tuipulotu.

Former England skipper Farrell led from the front to put his hand up also to be a bench contender.

The odds were always against Beale’s side, and they were fortunate not to go behind early when Scotland’s Darcy Graham had a try ruled out after stepping on the sideline.

In front of a packed house, the hosts were reduced to 14 minutes later with wing Triston Reilly sent to the sin-bin for a shoulder to the head, and it proved costly.

A rampant B&I Lions bagged two well-executed converted tries while he was off the field.

Irish centre Jamie Osborne dotted down after collecting a clever chip by Farrell, then Graham finished a sweeping move in the corner with Farrell again the linchpin.

Graham then departed in tears after treatment on his ankle, with Ringrose replacing him.

Reilly returned and made amends, intercepting a looping pass from Kinghorn to sprint unopposed to the posts and get his side on the board.

It sparked life into the First Nations and Pasifika team, who crossed again when Seru Uru used brute strength to flop over and with Beale converting both times it was 14-14 after 23 minutes.

The B&I Lions needed a second-half response and it came quickly from Osborne, who got his second try after a huge pass out wide from Kinghorn.

Irish flank Josh van der Flier then crossed after a classy dummy from Farrell before Rob Leota pulled a try back for the hosts to set up a tense finale.

Man of the match: Owen Farrell showed his experience, while B&I Lions centre Jamie Osborne, with his two tries and great backfield cover, was bettered by teammate Blair Kinghorn’s rock-solid fullback play. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was a tower of strength for the First Nations XV in the set pieces, especially with several line-out steals, and his powerful charges. Our award goes to First Nations flank Charlie Gamble, who made a nuisance of himself at the breakdown, won several penalties and made a heap of tackles (a match-high 17).

Moment of the match: In a very scrappy match, the stand-out moments were few and far between. The turning point was Filipo Daugunu’s intercept try in the 18th minute, which started the ‘home team’ comeback.

Villain: It was spicy at times, with Triston Reilly’s head-high shoulder charge – right out of the Owen Farrell playbook – earning him a yellow card.

The scorers

For the First Nations and Pasifika XV
Tries: Daugunu, Uru, Leota
Cons: Beale 2

For the British and Irish Lions
Tries: Osborne 2, Graham, Van der Merwe
Cons: Smith 2

Yellow cards: Triston Reilly (First Nations and Pasifika XV, 5 – foul play, dangerous high tackle), James Ryan (B&I Lions, 21 – repeated offences, offside)

Teams

First Nations and Pasifika XV: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Triston Reilly, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Kurtley Beale (captain), 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Lington Ieli.
Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Jarrah McLeod.

British and Irish Lions: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Jamie Osborne, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Duhan van Der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Ben White, 8 Henry Pollock, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Jac Morgan, 5 Scott Cummins, 4 James Ryan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Jamie George, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Tom Clarkson, 19 Gregor Brown, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Garry Ringrose.

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)